. >> reporter: for president obama it meant canceling two events and visiting fema headquarters. >> we're going to cut through the red tape. we're not going to get bogged down with a lot of rules. we're going to make sure we're anticipating and leaning forward. >> reporter: there are political stakes, too. a chance for the president to show decisive leadership or to take the blame if the response is bungled. all told, 16 campaign events have already been canceled. mitt romney canceled three in virginia, moving westward in ohio where he met up with paul ryan. >> today when we get home, put in our prayers the people who are in the east coast in the wake of this big storm that's coming. let's not forget those fellow americans of ours. ♪ >> reporter: with just nine days left, the race is as close as ever. a point dramatized in a new obama ad reminding voters that the 2000 race was decided by a mere 537 votes in florida. >> if you're thinking that your vote doesn't count, that it won't matter, well, back then, there were probably at least 537 people who felt the same way. >> reporter: and mi